Zero in on the smartest choice when it comes to two “healthy” options.

As you know, your food dollar doesn’t stretch as far as it used to. As a result, you might find yourself increasingly hemming and hawing over which foods to toss into your grocery cart. But the most nutrition-packed choice isn’t always obvious. Oats or granola? Almond butter or peanut butter? We’re sending several similar edibles to the ring to crown the nutritional champs.

Canola oil vs. vegetable oil

The champ: canola oil

Vegetable oils are often made with low-grade soybean, corn, cottonseed and/or sunflower oils that contain high levels of omega-6 fats. A diet with too many omega-6s and too few omega-3s can promote internal inflammation, raising the risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease and potentially slowing exercise recovery. With fewer omega-6 fats and more omega-3 ones, canola oil is a better option for home cooking. If you want to steer clear of genetically modified canola, opt for organic brands.
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